Jordan Hospital teams with Beth Israel, dumps Tufts Medical

Jordan Health Systems Inc., parent of Jordan Hospital in Plymouth, and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center said today they will sign a letter of intent for the hospital to become part of BIDMC.

The parties intend to sign a definitive agreement later this year. Jordan Health Systems would become part of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, but retain local management and board governance.

“After a comprehensive review and analysis of several affiliation opportunities, we chose BIDMC because our mutual interests are best aligned to fulfill the mission, values and vision of Jordan Hospital and the local communities we serve,” said Jordan Health Systems President and CEO Peter Holden.

Both parties also entered into talks with Atrius Health. Dr. Gene Lindsey, president and CEO of Atrius Health, a nonprofit alliance of independent medical groups, said the planned affiliation between BIDMC and Jordan Hospital would expand hospital choices for patients of the Atrius Health groups south of Boston.

The affiliation will also align Jordan Hospital with the resources of Harvard Medical School faculty physicians at BIDMC. Under terms of the agreement, JHSI would continue to maintain its nonprofit status.

No specific timetable has been announced for signing a definitive agreement. Both organizations said they will update the communities they serve “whenever necessary.”

The move leaves out Tufts Medical Center, with whom Jordan had a nearly three-year clinical affiliation. Tufts provided cardiology and pediatric services for the hospital, which referred patients to Tufts, said spokeswoman Julie Jette.

“This is certainly not a game-changer for us. We had a very positive affiliation with them, but it represented 2 percent of our volume,” she said. “We’re confident we can make that up through our other affiliations and other activities in the market.”